For a short time we lived quietly. But this could not last. White men had found gold in the mountains around the land of winding water.

Quote by Chief Joseph

Topics: Chief Joseph Quotes

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

It does not require many words to speak the truth.

All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.

All men were made by the Great Spirit Chief. They are all brothers.

Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where...

Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where...

Words do not pay for my dead people.

Words do not pay for my dead people.

I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.

I did not want my people killed. I did not want bloodshed.

We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the...

We damaged all the big guns we could, and carried away the powder and the...

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live...

If the white man wants to live in peace with the Indian he can live...

Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to...

Treat all men alike. Give them the same law. Give them an even chance to...

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of...

I would have given my own life if I could have undone the killing of...

Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great...

Some of you think an Indian is like a wild animal. This is a great...

I pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my...

I pressed my father's hand and told him I would protect his grave with my...

I know that my race must change.

I know that my race must change.

My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.

My father... had sharper eyes than the rest of our people.

I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my...

I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up my...

An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.

An Indian respects a brave man, but he despises a coward.

From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.

From where the sun now stands I will fight no more.

We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy.

We soon found that the white men were growing rich very fast, and were greedy.

I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men...

I saw clearly that war was upon us when I learned that my young men...

I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.

I have heard talk and talk, but nothing is done.

Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people...

Governor Isaac Stevens of the Washington Territory said there were a great many white people...